Go Ahead, Try to Find a Seat at Crux Fermentation Project’s Packed Industrial-Chic Brewpub

After former Deschutes brewmaster Larry Sidor hung up his own shingle, boy did people come to drink the beer

(Courtesy of Crux Fermentation Project)
By Donald Scheidt

50 SW Division St., Bend, 541-385- 3333, cruxfermentation.com. 4-9 pm Monday, 11:30 am-9 pm Tuesday-Thursday, 11:30   am-10 pm, Friday-Saturday 11:30 am-9 pm Sunday.

Deschutes Brewing has been home to some damn good brewers, and a few, like former brewmaster Larry Sidor, have gone on to hang out their own shingles. Crux, housed in a former transmission shop, has turned into one of Bend's most popular industrial-chic brewery-taprooms, making it a bit of a challenge to find a spot on busy evenings. Admire the shiny brewhouse and tanks through the windows, enjoy something tasty from the highly beer-compatible pub menu (go for the Project Board if you're a fan of meat and cheese platters), and wash it down with a house brew. Crux is nothing if not versatile: The Banished series is for fans of barrel-aged stouts and sours, they have Half-Hitch IPA for the hopheads and a very good Pilsner for Bend's warm, sunny summer days.

Nearby: About a third of a mile to the west, Immersion Brewing (550 SW Industrial Way #185, Bend, 541-633-7821, imbrewing.com) features a decent beer lineup and a very good brewpub kitchen. Immersion is also right next door to Atlas Cider (550 SW Industrial Way, 541-633-7757, atlascider.com).

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